Explore massage therapy career options at one of the many massage therapy colleges in Maine. As a massage therapy student, you can study deep tissue massage, healing touch, reflexology, shiatsu, and many other techniques.
There are several massage therapy schools in the state of Maine that can provide students with a solid foundation of learning basic massage therapy as well as advanced treatment techniques.
Massage therapy requires a balance of academic and technical knowledge. Therapists must possess clinical skills, manual dexterity, awareness and sensitivity to clients from any profession.
Are There Massage Therapy Schools In Maine?
There are several massage therapy schools in Maine. The two we recommend are private institutes with certificate programs that take less than a year.
Students attend classroom lectures, undergo practical training in laboratories and gain practical experience in clinics that serve the population. Graduates have the right to apply to the state board for a license.
Among the most common body treatments covered are Swedish, deep tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure and hydrotherapy. However, there is some variation from program to program.
Schools of massage therapy use different philosophical approaches and may have their own modalities. Some programs focus heavily on specific populations.
One school in Maine specializes in Spatial Massage Therapy (DMT) and offers introductory courses in oncology massage therapy. Another offers polar therapy. A Maine student may be allowed to choose between a concentration in holistic or therapeutic massage.
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How Much Do Massage Therapy Schools Cost In Maine?
The basic training in therapeutic massage at the Acadia Massage School is designed for 600 hours. The total cost of the program is $9,550.00, which consists of: Materials Fee (textbooks and supplies): $650.00. Tuition: $8,900.00.
What Are The Requirements For Massage Therapy Schools In Maine?
There are certain education and exam requirements to obtain a massage therapy license in Maine. You must complete at least 500 hours of study at an approved school. This applies to the following topics:
- 120 hours – Anatomy, pathology, physiology
- 100 hours – Practical methods and supervised practice
- 280 hours – coursework determined by the Council
- First aid certification
You will also need to pass one of the national massage exams. For example MBLEx, NCETM or NCETMB. There are some other basic requirements, you can learn more by contacting the Maine Board of Massage Therapists.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Maine?
Seacoast Career Schools-Sanford Campus
This facility offers three programs, including a certificate in massage therapy. The curriculum consists of 750 meaningful hours — 420 lecture, 200 laboratory and 130 practical. It provides 25 weeks of full-time classes.
In addition to coursework, as required by the state department, students take a Career Development course; CPR and first aid; Personal psychology; sitting massage; Additional body work; Assessments, care plans and special populations; and massage business.
One of the school’s requirements for future massage therapists is a minimum score of 15 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE).
Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook
Prospective interns at this school have two certificate options, each containing 600 hours of content.
The curriculum covers the basics plus myofascial release, hydrotherapy, business skills, professional development, holistic integration and neuromuscular therapy. Students learn massage techniques such as Swedish, chair, athletic, stone and oncology.
The holistic massage program includes 120 hours of polar therapy and RYSE. It is designed to work with spa clients, children, the elderly, “those trying to access creativity” and “those seeking personal transformation.”
The therapeutic massage program, which includes 120 hours of deep tissue massage and trigger point release, is designed to treat physically active people such as athletes.
Acadia School of Massage
The Acadia School of Massage Core Training program is a systematic approach to training massage professionals.
It differs from other massage therapy training programs in that it gives the student a competitive advantage in that they can do fantastic work with the body upon graduation.
It focuses on three key areas: the science of functional anatomy and pathology; the art of delivering the best work to clients; professional and ethical excellence.
From this foundation, students are well prepared for careers in a variety of settings, from resorts to medical clinics to private practice to cruise ships and perhaps even teaching bodywork.
How Much Do Massage Therapists In Maine Earn?
The average salary for a massage therapist here is about $39,440 a year (or $19 an hour) — just below the national average of more than $41,400 (or about $20).
Income among the top 10% of practitioners in Maine is approximately $68,750 (or more than $33). The national average is about $78,300 (or more than $37.60).
The lowest 10% of earners in the state earn about $26,160 (or nearly $12.60), better than the U.S. average of about $21,340 (or more than $10.25).
There were 620 job openings for massage therapists in Maine in 2016. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 690 jobs by 2026, an 11 percent increase. That would be slower than the projected national rate of 26 percent.
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How Do I Become A Massage Therapist In Maine?
To become a massage therapist in Maine, you must first obtain a high school diploma or a general education diploma. The student must then find an accredited school that has been approved by the PRI.
The state’s FIU Department requires that the curriculum contain 500 or more hours of content. This must include 120 hours in anatomy, physiology and pathology; and 100 hours of clinical practice.
Teaching the theory, technique and practice of MT covers sliding strikes, kneading, direct pressure, deep friction, surface heating technique, percussion, compression (pumping), vibration, pushing, shaking, rocking, contraindications, etc.
Maine schools exceed the minimum number of hours, giving students more opportunities to specialize in certain massage techniques. Some programs include several business practice and career development classes or include additional time in real clinical settings.
Graduates apply to the FIU to obtain a license. They need to show proof of CPR and first aid. Another requirement is passing the massage and bodywork licensing exam, commonly known as the MBLEx.
The National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork registers students to take the exam at Pearson VUE Assessment Centers.
Working professionals need to renew their licenses online every year. Unlike most states, they do not require continuing education.
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Best Paying Massage Therapy Jobs in Maine
Southwest Maine ranks third in the nation’s small-area massage therapist employment rankings, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With sponsorships from doctors, hospitals and insurance companies combined with a projected 20 percent increase in employment by 2020, this may be the perfect time to join the massage therapy profession.
According to the US Department of Labor Statistics, the number of massage therapists is projected to grow 26% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Jobs are created every day in nursing homes, hotels, hospitals and office buildings. You can join the rush by studying for a career in massage therapy this fall.
As a licensed massage therapist, you can work from home, in a relaxing spa, or even in a fast-paced clinical environment. Regardless of your work environment, you’ll know you’re helping your clients manage pain and stress. A focused career can make all the difference.
You go to work every day knowing that your customers will be happy to see you. And you won’t be stuck in a routine like in many other jobs, because every day – and every treatment – will be a little different
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Massage Therapy Schools In Maine FAQs
Maine requires you to renew your license every October. The license renewal fee is $20. Only cosmetology instructors are required to take continuing education hours to renew their licenses, a total of 14 CEU hours each year. Even if you have a different type of license, you should schedule continuing education hours as part of your career development. Many employers require employees in all occupations to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education each year.
Massage therapists graduate from state-approved career programs. A Maine student will need a minimum of 500 hours of coursework. The program must include coursework in four content areas. Students must receive state-mandated hours of instruction in the two most important subjects. Maine has set a minimum of 120 hours of coursework in human anatomy, pathology, and physiology. It set a minimum of 100 hours for supervised practical experience.
After you graduate from an accredited program, Maine law requires you to be licensed to practice as a massage therapist there. The Maine Board of Therapeutic Massage regulates the licensing of massage therapists in Maine.
Conclusion
People in Maine rely on skilled massage therapists to help them relax and improve their overall well-being. If you feel that helping yourself feel better is part of your calling, consider attending massage school in Maine.
Maine law defines massage therapy as the scientific or skillful manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic or medicinal purposes, including to improve muscle tone and circulation, and to promote health and physical well-being.”
If so, consider a massage therapy license as a way to meet your career goals and the needs of others. Becoming a reliable massage therapy practitioner requires a genuine desire to help others, as well as time, energy and focus on the training process.
REFERENCES
- careerswiki.com – Massage Therapy Schools in Maine
- beautyschoolsdirectory.com – Massage Therapy Schools in Maine
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